Opinion

Editor, As we approach the presidential election this year, there are three newsworthy TV analyses, which caught my attention early this month. Here they are, very briefly summarized from notes I took during the broadcasts.  Number one: Former president Barack Obama is beginning to speak out on the upcoming election. He spoke eloquently about our common human traits of selfishness, what’s in it for me, and the impulse for saving face. He elaborated on these characteristics as being especially common in politics, and he went on to speak on how compelling this will be during the months leading up to the presidential election.  Number two and three: The attraction and ...

Editor, I am supporting Kimberly Dudik for Montana Attorney General because she is a proven champion on protecting our environment and addressing climate change, as well as fighting for gender equity and preventing family violence.  During her four terms in the state legislature, Kimberly has earn...

Editor, This is a letter I wrote to Steve Daines: Senator Daines, with considerable dishonesty, President Trump is doing his best to destroy the United States Postal Service.  Clearly, there are two “reasons” for his attempts. First, he hates Jeff Bezos and knows killing the Postal Ser...

Last year, I had one of my best ever Mother’s Days. I had a new granddaughter to hold and love. All my kids, who are grown or nearly so were on hand to help celebrate. I give thanks for them nearly every day. I am lucky and blessed. (Not necessarily in that order.) Still it was a dichotomous day for...

Editor, During the last four legislative sessions, I have had the opportunity to work with and observe State Senator Scott Sales. During the 2019 session as Speaker of the House, I worked directly with Senate President Sales in coordinating legislation through the Montana Legislature.  President S...

Editor, The wasps and hornets will soon be out in force, but please don’t poison them.  There’s a better and more responsible way to be rid of them. Birds and insects are in steep decline worldwide. It is an extremely critical situation. Go to your hardware store and get a couple wasp ...

Editor, Many of you will have noticed the internet chatter reflecting on the impressive COVID-19 responses in countries lead by women. The nations of Finland (Samma Marin), Germany (Angela Merkel), New Zealand (Jacinda Ardern), Taiwan (Tsai Ing-wen), Iceland (Katrin Jakobsdottir), Norway (Erna Solberg) an...

Editor, I’m William Leaphart, retired Montana Supreme Court Justice, and I am writing today to support my former Montana Supreme Court Clerk Kimberly Dudik.  I know from my experience on the court that we need statewide leadership to make our state safer and healthier, especially in the offi...

  Editor,  I, like many of my peers, am worried as to what the post coronavirus world looks like. The only benefit I see to this is that we have the opportunity to vote for people who not only can lead us in a post coronavirus world but want to make Montana better. There is not a single ca...

We are all social distancing. Hugs from a friend have been put on hold. Personal interaction is kept to a minimum. Masks have become fashion statements, gloves a necessity. We go out only when we are out of milk or eggs or toilet paper. We fear the touch of human contact. Well, not really but you get my drif...